Families looking for a fun-filled bank holiday weekend should make their way to the Cork International Choral Festival, now celebrating its 69th year. This prestigious event is one of Europe’s most renowned choral festivals and promises an exciting lineup of performances and workshops from 1st to 5th May.
With over 90 venues hosting gala performances, competitions, fringe concerts, and free public performances, the festival will showcase the best of national and international choirs. The streets, cafes, restaurants, and bars of Cork city and county will be alive with music, creating a fantastic atmosphere for all to enjoy.
And best of all, the diverse programme offers loads of FREE events for families to participate in or watch. Whether your toddler or teen is on the musical scale there’ll be plenty of opportunities for them to find their rhythm, sing along, or just enjoy the music. Here are some of our top family-friendly events:
Workshop for primary schools with CADA Performing Arts
Wednesday 1st May, 11.50am – Free Admission
The festival has teamed up with CADA Performing Arts for an engaging and interactive workshop that will captivate both children and spectators alike. Learn from the talented instructors at CADA Performing Arts, and take part in a variety of activities that will bring the world of performing arts to life.
Join The Big Sing
Saturday 4th May, 12.45pm – Free Admission
Get all the family to raise the roof at The Big Sing in Cork City Hall, one of the most attractive and acoustically superb venues in Ireland. During this fun participative public event, singers of all ages and levels of experience are invited along to be part of the largest choir of the festival, giving everybody the opportunity to exercise their vocal chords! The best bit? You don’t even need to be able to sing. It’s about lending your voice and experiencing the sheer joy and sense of community that lies at the heart of choral singing. No preparation is necessary either as music and lyrics will be handed out on the day.
Choirs at Marina Market
Saturday 4th May 12.40-4.20pm – Free Admission
Follow the Choral Trail to the Marina Market, a new venue this year. The pitch perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon with the kids, with new performances every 20 minutes from 12.40-4.20pm!
12.40pm – Cór Cois Abhann; 1.00pm – Pro Musica Soest [Germany]; 1.20pm – River Rhythms Community Choir; 1.40pm – Munster Rugby Supporters Club Choir; 2.00pm – Credo Vocal Ensemble; 2.20pm – Muckross Voices; 2.40pm – St. Vincent’s GAA Mens Choir; 3.00pm – Killestars; 3.20pm – The Rafset Choir [Sweden]; 3.40pm – Glóreile; 4.00pm – University of Galway Singers 4.20pm – Funky Voices [UK]
Follow the Fringe Choral Festival to Cobh
Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th May, 1pm to 4pm, Cobh – Free Admission
Get on the verse at the much-loved Fringe Choral Festival, taking place in the scenic and family-friendly port of Cobh. Only 25 minutes by train from Cork City, you can spend the day savoring music and entertaining the kids in the coastal historic town, the last stop for the Titanic ship. Or pop out for the afternoon and have a picnic at the prom! Follow the Choral Trail to Cobh Band Stand, Cobh Heritage Centre, or head to the Commodore Hotel where a different choir will perform every half hour both days from 1-4pm.
For Festival Tickets and more information see www.corkchoral.ie
